p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

I am just about to buy the 5d Mark 2 body. Have one reserved at Jessops in the UK. They will hold it until Friday for me. These puppies are out of stock everywhere it seems, i thought it would slow down with the upcoming announcement of the mark 3.

Anyhoo. I would like some advice on a single lens that would serve as an all purpose walk around lens. I dont plan to spend a lot of money on this I just want to have an option of a quick AF lens in the range of 18mm to 70mm f3.5 should do it.

I already have invested on contax zeiss lenses. Here are the lenses I currently own and plan to use on the 5D2 with a Kindai adapter.

Should be ordering the Kindai/Rayqual adapter from ebay shortly. Wish I could afford the Leitax adapters but they are working out to be a lot and I dont want to fix adapters on the lenses as I plan to use them on my Sony NEX 5N too.

So what sort of used canon cheapo lens would you guys recommend just for shooting indoors and for the occasional family event and toddlers etc when I don't want to use MF CZ lenses and won't have the luxury of taking my time on tripods etc etc.

p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

Another for the 24-105mmL lens. The IS of the lens works great and really a big plus to minimize camera/lens movement under low light conditions.

I know a lot of folks would say that the IS won't stop movement in action shots but it sure will minimize the movement of your camera. Sometimes you want to convey some kind of movement of your target but freeze the surroundings. Again, the 24-105mm lens will be a good addition to your lens lineup.

p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

alitech wrote:
Should be ordering the Kindai/Rayqual adapter from ebay shortly. Wish I could afford the Leitax adapters but they are working out to be a lot and I dont want to fix adapters on the lenses as I plan to use them on my Sony NEX 5N too.

PS. you can Leitax them and then use a Canon EF > NEX converter. Leitax adapters are really nice.

p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

+1 for the 24-105 .
But I will say that the 28-105 USM I had was a very good little lens.
I only sold it when I got the 24-105 but it could easily keep up with the L . It's bokeh was not as good but it was a sharp little thing and it's AF was faster . I sort of regret letting it go as it went for peanuts money and sometimes I find I don't want the extra size of the L

p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Best all purpose EF zoom lens to carry around on top of CZ primes

I'd get the 28-135 IS before the 28-105. The IS lens seems to be available from $200-$250 used and is a pretty decent lens. It doesn't have quite the contrast as the L, has some zoom creep, and lacks a fixed aperature, but it is otherwise pretty good.

If you want to spend a little more, I'd echo the 28-75 suggestion. (The 24-105 and 24-70Ls are the best, but most expensive options).

Unless you want to start spending a lot more money, those are your best bets in my opinion. Since you are wanting a walk-around and an alternative to your nice primes, I'd suggesting going with the cheaper lens with IS.

Also, if you really want something as wide as 18mm there are no options that will give you the zoom range you want in a single lens.